Seattle Bookfest

Revived in a somewhat different form than the old Northwest Bookfest after a six-year hiatus, this two-day event offers a variety of readings, panels, and related events. Garth Stein, whose The Art of Racing in the Rain sold quite nicely, appears at 3 p.m. Saturday. Down from Whidbey Island is Pete Dexter (5 p.m. Sat.), whose new novel Spooner is a sprawling family epic that tracks from the South up to Dexter's present home (appropriate, since the book is admittedly autobiographical). Fantagraphics publisher Gary Groth appears with SW contributor Ellen Forney and other cartoonists at 3 p.m. for a Saturday panel discussion on their craft. And be sure to brush up on your clauses and participles for the "grammar bee" (5 p.m. Sat.) judged by local grammarian and author (Things That Make Us (Sic)) Martha Brockenbrough. And no one should miss our beloved former boss Knute Berger, now of Crosscut.com, whose "Mossback" columns and other writings are collected in Pugetopolis. See seattlebookfest.com for full schedule and details. BRIAN MILLER